Ford Won’t Ditch Microsoft As It Adds Apple CarPlay Support

This morning Apple announced that its new CarPlay will be available in upcoming cars from Ford. If you’ve been following the space over the past several years, then you might already know that Ford also has an existing partnership with Microsoft. The automaker used Microsoft’s Windows Embedded Automotive operating system to develop Ford SYNC and MyFord Touch, which provide in-car solutions for today’s mobile operating systems. The company said today that it will continue to work with Microsoft, despite its developing relationships with Apple.

“Ford is working to integrate Apple’s CarPlay in the future,” a spokesperson told TechCrunch .”We will continue to work with Apple, Micrososft and many other technology companies to develop and continuously improve our in-car connectivity systems for customers. One of the many great things about SYNC is that it is device agnostic and compatible with nearly any mobile operating system, including Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android.”

As TechCrunch notes, this is the second such statement from Ford declaring support for multiple companies – there were mumbles not too long ago that Microsoft was looking to move toward offering BlackBerry’s QNX operating system inside of new cars. Based on today’s statements, that’s still possible, too. Ford has so far not voiced support for Google’s Open Automotive Alliance, however, which aims to bring Android into automobiles. Google’s partners in that effort include GM, Audi and Honda.

For now, SYNC owners need not worry – and it sounds like Microsoft doesn’t have to worry just yet. Though if Ford starts to find an influx of customers coming in asking for CarPlay instead of SYNC, that could definitely change. Either way, there’s a new war being waged.